it's been very quiet on the campaign trail as president obama and mitt romney hunkers down and prepares for wednesday's debate. a new abc news/"washington post" poll shows a very tight race. both campaigns see tomorrow night as a big opportunity. >> reporter: this presidential campaign has been going on for nearly two years, and finally it's debate season for the nominees. the time when americans seem to really start paying attention. president obama's rehearsing with senator john kerry and mitt romney is squaring off against senator rob portman. both candidates have challenges and checklists. president obama is working on shorter answers, trying to avoid sounding like the professor he was before the white house. democrats say he needs to look strong and forceful and not appear irritated or impatient. >> they're trying to get him into the mode of being able to answer questions, short, concisely and to the point so it is much more like his mannerisms and his style and the way he comes across, as opposed to information in this. >> reporter: and mitt romney? he has to seem relatable after